Explosively actuated valve assembly



Dec. 3, 1968 D. l. YAHLE 3,413,992

EXPLOSIVELY ACTUATED VALVE ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 1 1963 3 4 32 FIG. I 58 INVENTOR.

YDANIEL I. YAHLE B 67 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,413,992 EXPLOSIVELY ACTUATED VALVE ASSEMBLY Daniel I. Yahle, Orlando, Fla., assignor to Martin- Marietta Corporation, Middle River, Baltimore,

Md., a corporation of Maryland Filed Oct. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 312,945 12 Claims. (Cl. 137-68) This invention relates to an explosively actuated valve, and more particularly to a single action explosively actuated valve for predeterminedly releasing high pressure gas from a high pressure source to a pneumatic system, utilizing a single frangible diaphragm to prevent release of the high pressure gas until an explosive charge is activated.

Although the present invention may be advantageously utilized in general areas of application, such as fire extinguishers, pneumatic manufacturing equipment, and earth and space vehicles, the following description merely exemplifies a use of this invention in the pneumatic net work of a missile system. It is to be understood, of course, that the present invention may be used in other areas of application without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

In most present day missile systems elaborate high pressure pneumatic networks are utilized which necessitate the use of high pressure gas storage vessels. In conjunction with such storage vessels a need arose for a normally closed single action or one-shot valve arrangement for rapidly releasing the stored high pressure gas to the pneumatic network of the missile system. Several techniques have been developed for sealing containers of high pressure fluids and for preventing unintentional discharge of such fluids. In general, most prior known techniques involve the use of an explosive charge to indirectly cause a rupture or fracture of a portion of the sealing member of the normally closed valve arrangement so as to provide an opening through which the high pressure fluid can be rapidly discharged from the storage container.

One prior known technique utilizes a frangible sealing member positioned between the inlet and outlet openings of the valve and provides a movable ram or plunger which is driven toward the frangible seal by the explosive reaction of an explosive charge so as to punch out a portion of the frangible seal thereby providing a flow path between the inlet and outlet openings of the valve. Although this type of valve is satisfactory in many respects, it is objectionable from an economy viewpoint in that the ram or plunger and its cooperating cylinder require considerably high tolerance milling operations in manufacture.

Another prior known technique also utilizes a diaphragm positioned between the inlet and outlet openings of the valve but incorporates a chemical charge or secondary explosive in adjacent position to the low pressure side of the diaphragm and a primary explosive, such as a squib, to ignite the chemical charge. When the primary explosive is ignited and consequently the chemical charge is ignited, large quantities of heat is rapidly generated. This heat rapidly burns the diaphragm thus leaving a clear passage between the inlet and outlet openings of the valve. In certain applications this type of valve is satisfactory but it is objectionable for several reasons for general use in the pneumatic network or a missile system. First, the manufacture of a solid chemical capable of rapidly developing sutficient heat to burn a solid metallic diaphragm is considerably costly. Second, most chemicals capable of rapid exothermic action are highly unstable and generally not used in devices which must be stored for long periods of time such as is required in the Patented Dec. 3, 1968 case of the high pressure gas storage containers used in present day missile systems.

It is, therefore, apparent from the foregoing that a definite need exists today for a single action or one-shot rapidly actuated valve which is considerably inexpensive to manufacture by reason of simplicity of design and low tolerance requirements and which does not require the use of highly unstable chemicals for rapidly opening the valve at a predetermined time. The present invention uniquely achieves the above performance and manufacturing requirements.

In accordance with the present invention a single metallic diaphragm is utilized to seal the outlet of a high pressure gas storage container. A capsule assembly having a substantially central cavity formed therein is positioned in an abutting relationship with the diaphragm to secure the diaphragm in its sealing position. The capsule assembly includes an explosive charge, such as a squib, positioned within its cavity and provides an unimpeded path between the explosive charge and the low pressure side of the diaphragm.

The capsule assembly also includes at least one opening near its diaphragm abutting end and means for igniting the explosive charge. When the explosive charge is ignited, considerably high pressure is exerted upon the low pressure side of the diaphragm which is sutficient to blow out a hole in the diaphragm thereby releasing the high pressure gas in the storage container. The flow path for the released high pressure gas. is from the outlet of the storage container into the central cavity of the capsule assembly through the opening in the diaphragm abutting end of the capsule and then into the exhaust chamber of the valve. The exhaust chamber of the valve may be conventionally coupled, for example, to the pneumatic network of a missile system. It is to be understood, of course, that the valve of the present invention may be advantageously incorporated into many areas of general use, such as in high pressure fire extinguishers which are used to rapidly release large quantities of fluids for smothering unwanted fires.

It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide a single action rapidly activated valve for predeterminedly releasing high pressure gas from a high pressure source to a pneumatic system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a valve of the type described which utilizes a single metallic diaphragm to prevent unintentional release of gas from a high pressure storage container and an explosive charge to rapidly activate the valve.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a valve of the type described which utilizes a single metallic diaphragm to prevent fluid from flowing between the inlet and outlet of the valve and an explosive charge to directly fracture the diaphragm and open the valve thereby permitting fluid to flow between the inlet and outlet of the valve.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a valve of the type described which does not require costly moving members during operation or highly unstable chemicals for rapidly opening the valve seal at a predetermined time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a one-shot explosively activated valve having no moving parts during operation which advantageously utilizes a unique capsule assembly for firmly securing a frangible metallic diaphragm in a pressure sealing position against the outlet of a high pressure storage container and which encases an explosive squib and enables the squib to directly blow out a portion of said diaphragm at a predetermined period for rapidly releasing the gas from the storage container to a pneumatic network.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a valve of the type described which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and highly reliable in achieving the desired objects and intended functions.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is depicted in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of the valve of the present invention shown in an open or storage container filling position; and

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the valve of the present invention but shown in a closed or storage container sealing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION.FIGURES l2 For purposes of simplicity and clarity of understanding, like elements in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be given like reference numerals.

The valve of the present invention basically comprises a housing, generally indicated at 10, a capsule assembly, generally indicated at 12, and a safety plug, generally indicated at 14.

Housing is generally L shaped with an inlet port or central bore 16 in one leg .17 and an outlet port or central bore 18 in the other leg 19. Bore 16 has its inner Wall 20 partially threaded at 22 and its outer wall 24 partially threaded at 26. Bore 18 extends completely into bore 16 and has a portion of its inner wall 28 threaded at 30 for coupling the valve to the inlet opening (not shown) of a pneumatic network. The specific size and physical configuration of the outer wall 24 of bore 16 and the inner wall 28 of bore 18, respectively, depends upon the size and shape of the outlet of the gas storage container, partially shown at 32, and the size and shape of the inlet opening (not shown) of the pneumatic network of the system in which this valve is to rapidly deliver high pressure gas from the storage container. Container 32 is threaded at 34 for connecting the leg 17 of housing 10 with storage container 32.

Capsule assembly 12 is shaped in the form of a hollow bolt and comprises a head portion 36 adapted to be acted upon by a wrench, an elongated shaft 38, central bore 40, transverse openings 42, metallic diaphragm 43, metallic seal 45, internal shoulder 44, seal 46, current actuated explosive squib 48, electrical conductor 50 and cover plate 52. Shaft 38 is externally threaded at 54 for threadably engaging threads 22 of bore 16 and extends at least the full length of bore 16. Squib 48 is tightly secured in bore 16 within close proximity of transverse openings 42. Openings 42 are substantially near end 56 of shaft 38. Metallic diaphragm 43 abuts the end 56 of shaft 38 and is held firmly in position by metallic seal 45, which seal has an upturned, friction gripping, peripheral edge 58 and a central opening 60. Seal 46 tightly encircles conductor 50 and is positioned between shoulders 44 and squib 48. Conductor 50 is a two or four wire conductor for coupling current to the squib 48 for predeterminedly igniting the squib 48. A protecting cover 52 is connected to the head 36 for holding conductor 50 in position. Cover 52 may be conventionally connected to head 36 by screws 62.

7 It should be noted at this point that the remaining portion of bore 16 is filled with a cured epoxy type filler 64 for ensuring water tightness and somewhat air tightness between the ends'of bore .16. It is to be understood, of course, that other types of fillers may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It should be further noted at this point in the description that capsule assembly 12 must be adjustably connected to bore 16 of housing 10' so that the metallic diaphragm 43 in conjunction with deformable metallic seal may be positioned away from the outlet of container 32 when the container 32 is being filled with high pressure gas and firmly held against shoulder 66 of container 32 for preventing unintentional release of the high pressure gas stored in container 32. To further insure against any leakage of gas through the top end 68 of housing 10, a static seal or O ring 70 is provided which compressingly fits between inner wall 20 of housing 10 and shank 38 of capsule 12. Seal 70 operates conventionally in that the pressure of the gas in storage container 32 compresses the seal 70 firmly against the inner wall 20 of housing 10 and the outer wall of capsule 12.

The safety plug 14 arrangement is conventional and need not be fully described and illustrated. In general, however, this arrangement comprises a head 72, threaded shank 74 which threadably engages internally threaded opening 76 of housing 10, diaphragm seal 78 and static seal or O ring 80.

MODE OF OPERATION.FIGURES 12 The operation of the present invention involves two distinct periods. First there is the storage container filling period and then the storage container storage period.

It will be assumed at this point that container 32 is empty and the housing 10 of the valve of the present invention is connected to container 32 as shown in FIG. 1.

When it is desired to fill container 32 with high pressure gas, the capsule assembly 12 is rotated by a wrench or the like so that the cooperation of threads 22 of housing 10 of threads 54 of capsule 12 cause the diaphragm 43 and seal 45 to be spaced from shoulder 66 of container 32, as shown in FIG. 2. The outlet connector (not shown) of a source of high pressure gas is then threadably connected to bore .18 of housing 10 via threads 30 of leg 19, and gas is coupled from this source to the container 32 via a flow path comprising bore 18, bore 16 and the outlet of container 32. It should be noted at this point that the safety plug 14 and the static seal 70 conventionally prevent leakage of the gas during the filling period.

After the pressure of the gas in the container 32 reaches a desired value, the capsule assembly 12 is threadably moved toward the shoulder 66 of container 32 and tightened until metal seal 45 tightly abuts shoulder 66 and deforms to the extent necessary to seat in peripheral groove 67 in sealing relation. When the seal is in this latter position, the high pressure gas in the container 32 is sealed in the container 32. The outlet connector (not shown) of the source of high pressure gas is then removed and the container 32 is now in its storage period.

When it is desired to rapidly release the gas stored in container 32, the inlet connector (not shown) of the pneumatic network of a missile system is first threadably connected to the outlet port or bore 18 of housing 10, and then electrical current is applied to conductor thereby igniting squib 48. The high pressure generated by squib 48 blows out a hole in metallic diaphragm 43 thereby predeterminedly releasing the stored gas to the pneumatic network of the missile system. The flow path for the released gas is from the outlet of container 32, the blown out hole of diaphragm 43, openings 42 of capsule 12, bore 16, bore 18, to the inlet connector of the pneumatic network.

It should be noted that once again safety plug 14 and static seal conventionally prevent the gas from container 32 from leaking out of the valve.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention uniquely provides a single action or one-shot rapidly actuated valve which is simple in design and does not require moving members when actuated and consequently is considerably inexpensive to manufacture.

While merely a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, it is to be understood that other modifications are contemplated which would be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An explosively actuated valve assembly for predeterminedly releasing gas from the exhaust port of a high pressure source, comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having an inlet port connected to said exhaust port of said high pressure source, an outlet port, and a central bore;

(b) capsule means adjustably positionable within said bore and extending towards said inlet port;

(c) said capsule means having a central cavity at one end, which cavity is normally closed by a diaphragm mounted for movement with said capsule means toward and away from said inlet port, and at least one opening extending through said capsule means into said cavity, said opening providing communication between said cavity and said outlet port;

(d) said capsule means being movable into firm engagement with the exhaust port of said source so that said diaphragm overlaps said exhaust port and thereby prevents unintentional release of said gas;

(e) explosive means positioned within said cavity and being of sufiicient force, when ignited, to rupture said diaphragm; and

(f) means for selectively causing the ignition of said explosive means so as to blow out at least a portion of said diaphragm and thereby open the exhaust port and rapidly release said gas through said opening to said outlet port.

2. An explosively actuated valve assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

(a) said capsule means is adjustably positioned within said bore so that said one end of said capsule means, and said diaphragm mounted thereon, may be moved away from said exhaust port thereby permitting said source to be filled with said gas, as well as moved firmly against the exhaust port, thereby preventing unintentional release of said gas.

3. An explosively actuated valve assembly in accordance with claim 2, and further including in combination:

(a) means for automatically releasing said gas when said gas as sensed adjacent said outlet port exceeds predetermined pressure.

4. An explosively actuated valve assembly for predeterminedly releasing gas from the exhaust port of a high pressure source, comprising, in combination:

(a) a hollow housing having at one end thereof an inlet port releasably connected to the exhaust port of said source, and an outlet port;

(b) a capsule assembly adjustably positioned within said hollow of said housing, said capsule assembly having a body portion with a central cavity at one end, which cavity is normally closed by a diaphragm that is movable with said capsule assembly, and at least one opening extending through said body portion into said cavity so as to provide communication with said outlet port;

(c) means for adjusting said capsule assembly within said hollow of said housing so that when said one end of said housing is engaged to said exhaust port of said source, said diaphragm overlaps and seals said exhaust port and thereby prevents unintentional release of said gas;

(d) explosive means positioned within said cavity of said capsule and being of sufficientforce, when ignited, to rupture said diaphragm; and r (e) means for selectively causing the ignition of said explosive means so as to blow out at least a portion of said diaphragm and thereby open said exhaust port and release said gas through said opening to said outlet port.

5. An explosively actuated valve assembly for predeterminedly releasing gas from the exhaust port of a high pressure source to the intake port of a pneumatic network, comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having a central cavity and an inlet and outlet opening, said inlet being adapted to releasably engage said exhaust port and said outlet being adapted to releasably engage said intake port;

(b) a capsule assembly adjustably positioned within said cavity and having an elongated body portion and a central bore at one end, which bore is normally closed by a diaphragm that moves with said capsule assembly as said capsule assembly is adjusted;

(c) said capsule assembly further including at least one opening extending through said body portion and into said central bore, said opening providing communication between said central bore and said outlet opening;

(d) means for adjustably positioning said capsule assembly within said cavity so that when said inlet is engaged to said exhaust port said diaphragm encircles and thereby seals said exhaust port so as to prevent unintentional release of said gas;

(e) explosive means positioned within said central bore and being of suflicient force that, when ignited, will cause a rupture of said diaphragm; and

(f) means for selectively causing ignition of said explosive means so as to blow out a portion of said diaphragm and thereby open said exhaust port and rapidly release said gas through said opening in said body portion of said capsule to said outlet of said housing.

6. An explosively actuated valve assembly for predeterminedly releasing gas from the exhaust port of a high pressure source to the intake port of a pneumatic network, comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having two hollow leg portions with an inlet port in said one leg portion and an outlet port in said other leg portion, said inlet port being adapted to releasably engage said exhaust port and said outlet port being adapted to releasably engage said intake port;

(b) a capsule assembly adjustably positioned within the hollow of said one leg, said. capsule assembly having an elongated body portion and a central bore at one end, which bore is normally closed by a diaphragm that moves with said capsule assembly as said capsule assembly is adjusted;

(c) said capsule assembly further including a plurality of openings, each extending through said body portion and into said central bore so as to provide communication between said central bore and said outlet port;

(d) means for adjustably positioning said capsule assembly within said one leg so that when said inlet port is engaged to said exhaust port, said diaphragm encircles and thereby seals said exhaust port so as to prevent unintentional release of said gas;

(e) explosive means positioned within said central bore and containing enough energy to rupture said diaphragm; and

(f) means for predeterminedly igniting said explosive means so as to blow out at least a portion of said diaphragm and thereby open said exhaust port and rapidly release said gas through said plurality of openings in said body portion of said capsule assembly, into said one leg, and through said other leg to said outlet port of said housing.

7. An expolsively actuated valve assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein:

(a) said capsule assembly is adjustably positioned within said one leg so that said diaphragm may be moved away from said exhaust port thereby permitting said source to be filled with gas, and thereafter moved firmly against said exhaust port, thereby preventing unintentional release of said gas.

8. An explosively actuated valve assembly in accordance with claim 7, and further including, in combination:

(a) means for automatically releasing said gas when said gas as sensed adjacent said outlet port exceeds a predetermined pressure.

9. An explosively actuated valve assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein:

(a) said means for predeterminedly igniting said ex plosive means comprises an electric conductor connected to said explosive means for coupling a current to said explosive means.

10. An explosively actuated valve assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein:

(a) said explosive means is a current actuated explosive squib.

11. An explosively actuated valve for selectively releasing gas from the exhaust port of a high-pressure source, said valve comprising a housing having an inlet port adapted to be secured to the exhaust port of the source, and an outlet port adapted to be interconnected to a pneumatic network or the like, said housing having a hollow portion in communication with both of said ports, in which a capsule is adjustably located, said capsule having a cavity therein in which an explosive is disposed, and having at one end an opening connected to said cavity, and having a second opening communicating between said cavity and hollow portion, diaphragm means normally closing the first mentioned opening and movable with said capsule as said capsule is adjusted, said capsule being adjustable toward and away from a position in said housing in which said one end of said capsule is adjacent the exhaust port of the source, so that said diaphragm means tightly covers the exhaust port, said explosive in said capsule containing sufiicient energy that when ignited, it causes the rupture of said diaphragm means and therefore the release of gas from the source so that it can flow through said hollow housing and thence from said outlet port of said housing, and means for selectively bringing about the ignition of said explosive.

12. The explosively actuated valve as defined in claim 11 in which said capsule is adjustable to a position in said housing in which said one end is spaced from the exhaust port of the source, to permit the refilling of the source.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,436,364 2/1948 McDowell 22089 2,736,459 2/1956 Crockram et al. 22089 867,474 10/1907 Campbell 2223 1,863,455 6/1932 Rowley 13769 1,898,899 2/1933 Rowley 13768 2,183,208 12/1939 Allen et al. 22089 X 2,437,836 3/1948 Santiago 22089 2,717,042 9/1955 Grant et al 13768 3,088,478 5/1963 Schimmel 13768 3,109,553 11/1963 Fike et al 137-68 X WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

R. GERARD, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN EXPLOSIVELY ACTUATED VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR PREDETERMINEDLY RELEASING GAS FROM THE EXHAUST PORT OF A HIGH PRESSURE SOURCE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A HOUSING HAVING AN INLET PORT CONNECTED TO SAID EXHAUST PORT OF SAID HIGH PRESSURE SOURCE, AN OUTLET PORT, AND A CENTRAL BORE; (B) CAPSULE MEANS ADJUSTABLY POSITIONALBE WITHIN SAID BORE AND EXTENDING TOWARDS SAID INLET PORT; (C) SAID CAPSULE MEANS HAVING A CENTRAL CAVITY AT ONE END, WHICH CAVITY IS NORMALLY CLOSED BY A DIAPHRAGM MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT WITH SAID CAPSULE MEANS TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID INLET PORT, AND AT LEAST ONE OPENING EXTENDING THROUGH SAID CAPSULE MEANS INTO SAID CAVITY, SAID OPENING PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID CAVITY AND SAID OUTLET PORT; (D) SAID CAPSULE MEANS BEING MOVABLE INTO FIRM ENGAGEMENT WITH THE EXHAUST PORT OF SAID SOURCE SO THAT SAID DIAPHRAGM OVERLAPS SAID EXHAUST PORT AND THEREBY PREVENTS UNINTENTIONAL RELEASE OF SAID GAS; (E) EXPLOSIVE MEANS POSITIONED WITHIN SAID CAVITY AND BEING OF SUFFICIENT FORCE, WHEN IGNITED, TO RUPTURE SAID DIAPHRAGM; AND (F) MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CAUSING THE IGNITION OF SAID EXPLOSIVE MEANS SO AS TO BLOW OUT AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID DIAPHRAGM AND THEREBY OPEN THE EXHAUST PORT AND RAPIDLY RELEASE SAID GAS THROUGH SAID OPENING TO SAID OUTLET PORT. 